Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye.

The great end of prudence is to give cheerfulness to those hours which splendor cannot gild, and acclamation cannot exhilarate.

In writing, as in life, faults are endured without disgust when they are associated with transcendent merit, and may be sometimes recommended to weak judgments by the lustre which they obtain from their union with excellence; but it is the business of those who presume to superintend the taste or morals of mankind to separate delusive combinations, and distinguish that which may be praised from that which can only be excused.

John Wesley's conversation is good, but he is never at leisure. He is always obliged to go at a certain hour. This is very disagreeable to a man who loves to fold his legs and have his talk out as I do.

A man with a good coat upon his back meets with a better reception than he who has a bad one.

Wealth is nothing in itself; it is not useful but when it departs from us.

All the arguments which are brought to represent poverty as no evil show it evidently to be a great evil.